ERIC Number: ED342862
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1991
Pages: 38
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Thank You For Asking! Using Focus Groups To Improve Minority Participation. Minority on Campus [Series].
National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Washington, DC. National Inst. of Independent Colleges and Universities.
This booklet promotes the use of focus groups as part of a strategy for understanding and improving minority participation throughout independent higher education. A focus group is a small discussion group designed to elicit perspectives about a particular topic, with discussion generally intended to identify hypotheses, issues, and an overall sense of direction, rather than definitive or projectable data. These groups can help suggest short-term and long-term initiatives for institutional change. The sections of this booklet contain materials from a training program for independent colleges and universities. The first section discusses the following topics concerning preparation necessary for holding a focus group: (1) number of participants; (2) group composition; (3) recruiting for the event; (4) site for the focus group; and (5) equipment. The second section offers advice to focus group moderators concerning the following topics: (1) style; (2) starting up; (3) non-directive assistance to the discussion; and (4) closing the session. The third section offers ways to analyze and report the focus group findings, including the use of an audiotape of the proceedings and organization of the report. The fourth section is a topic guide in a dialogue/modular format that can be adapted to various groups. The fifth section contains excerpts from focus groups conducted in 1989-90. (JB)
Descriptors: College Faculty, College Students, Cultural Pluralism, Discussion Groups, Equal Education, Equal Opportunities (Jobs), Faculty Integration, Group Guidance, Higher Education, Minority Groups, Private Colleges, Racial Relations, School Demography, Student College Relationship
National Institute of Independent Colleges and Universities, 122 C Street N.W., Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001-2190 ($10.00 each; $25.00 for the Minorities on Campus series set of five).
Publication Type: Guides - Non-Classroom
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Administrators; Policymakers; Practitioners
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, Washington, DC. National Inst. of Independent Colleges and Universities.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A